Coffee

Toronto has great coffee, like any major city. Let's start with some warnings, then get to the good stuff.

Chains

  • Starbucks is everywhere. It's a dependable, quality cup of coffee. But come on, you have Starbucks at home, you can do better than this.
  • Second Cup is probably Canada's biggest espresso chain. I have a fondness for the brand, which isn't always backed up by their coffee. There's a branch on King Street with a variety of brewing methods.
  • Aroma is a smaller Canadian chain. The coffee's fine enough, and they have several vegan options on their menu.
  • You should skip Tim Hortons. It's not really Canadian any more and the coffee is bad. They don't offer non-dairy milks in most stores. The branches are noisy and confusing.
  • Canadians will tell you that McDonald's does surprisingly good coffee, but I think this is an illusion born out of a successful advertising campaign.

Notable coffees

Foursquare is mostly a ghost town these days, but it still works OK for finding good coffee near you if none of these are convenient:

  • Major Treat is a small takeaway place in Queen West, which always makes good coffee.
  • Capital Espresso is my favourite coffee place in that corner of Parkdale.
  • Cherry Bomb on Roncesvalles can be a bit clattery, but is a good place for a takeaway coffee if you're in the area.
  • White Squirrel opposite Trinity Bellwoods is my favourite coffee place in that chunk of Queen West.
  • Birds and Beans is out in Etobicoke, but I am a big proponent of bird-friendly coffee and so are they. We have a coffee subscription to their beans for home brewing, so I obviously like their coffees.
  • Balzac's should maybe be listed in the chains section, but I like their coffee and their branding. They sell some bird-friendly coffees too.
  • Dark Horse has several branches around Toronto, and is a dependable option. The branch on Spadina near Dundas is a classic work-from-coffee-shop location.
  • I Deal Coffee has several branches around Toronto; the one on Sorauren Avenue is a peaceful little neighbourhood place with a nice patio.
  • Quantum Coffee is rather pretentious, but is solid.
  • Moonbean Coffee can have long lines out the door - a vote in its favour - and is probably your best option in Kensington Market.
  • Rooster Coffee is a good spot if you're in Riverdale.
  • I don't feel any affection for Propeller Coffee, but it's a good cup.
  • Sam James has several branches around Toronto, and is always strongly recommended by the blogs and travel guides, but personally I don't rate it. Ditto for Jimmy's Coffee and Hotblack. I will drink these - I might even enjoy them - but they're never my first choice.

RIP

  • Early Bird Espresso was my favourite Toronto coffee place, but it closed in 2022.
  • Little Nicky's was a popular choice when I worked downtown, but the pandemic and condo development did them in.